Visiting London: Back in the Brisk

“No matter which part of the world a person goes to, all holidays seem to have the uncanny knack of hitting all at once.” – Old Sean

Chilled Steps

After a month working in Macedonia, I’ve returned to London in the autumn and the massive city is on the chilly side. 

After a solid month of fairly temperate weather in Macedonia and being able to get away with a t-shirt, I’m spending most of my time on the streets hunting for little pockets of warmth in cafés.

Fortunately, I’m not completely without warm fabrics..  During my time in Skopje, I spent my final day in Macedonia on a shopping binge.

All of my clothes were on their last metaphorical legs.  I was sewing every other day just to keep some of the more ratty clothes serviceable, and going bizarre lengths to cover the stitching. For example, I tried wearing backpacks at jaunty angles, wearing vests over holes, tying jackets around my waist or rolling up sleeves just to hide the general fraying. 

It worked.  Somewhat.  Nobody suspected that I was actually an eloquent bum, mostly because my laptop and phone still look serviceable.  This is a calibrated spectacle made from illusions, spit and polish.

Regardless, no more of that!  I’ve purchased more clothes than I can comfortably pack and toted them to London.  Prize among them is a hefty jacket with two layers, a dozen hidden pockets and a bunch of packaged cookie bars. 

Looping Through London

Anyway, visiting London in the autumn was chilly and enjoyable as expected

I spent my first day walking around until check-in was allowed at my hostel.  I had some truly splendid fish and chips and Salzburg Discovery beer at a pub called The Tankard.  While there, I had a chance to talk with the barkeep, which was really enjoyable for me. 

I haven’t spoken to anyone in a solid month, so casual storytelling conversations are my renewed addiction.

Otherwise, my time in London was mostly tours of a few parks.  I got to see donkey’s playing tug-o’-war with a tire at the Vauxhall Farm, so I feel like I got my money’s worth on the first day back.

An Urban Hollow’s Eve

Of course, the following day back in town was Halloween. 

Though un-costumed, I enjoyed my night which involved fist-bumping Hellboy, heading to a couple of bars and getting jump-scared in Hyde Park.  United Kingdom folks tend to treat Halloween as more of a fear factor than United States people.  In the States, Halloween is more of a glorified costume party.

There were additional holiday events which slammed past me over the weekend.  There were several other pubs for Dia de los Muertos for the following couple of days, culminating on November 2^nd.  Then, the rockets began.

I’m at a very cranky age, where I don’t like unnecessary sounds.  Anything from revving motorcycles, people talking loudly on phones, car horns, or overtly-clattering subway systems. 

I especially don’t appreciate the bombshells constantly going off for Guy Fawkes Night.  I can remember, remember the fifth of November without blasts and echoes knocking around the city at midnight.

Not that I didn’t enjoy the holidays.  The fireworks (when I could actually see them) were beautiful.  It’s just a lot to take in over the course of one week. 

London Pitfalls

During my week back in Western Europe, I was forcibly reminded that London is expensive.  Living here would be a nightmare against a poverty tide. 

I spent more in a frugal week visiting London than I did during my entire month in Macedonia. 

I even had free lodging while visiting London to offset my expenses.  However, transportation to various work events and job interviews slaughtered my wallet with a gleeful vengeance.

The remaining change I have rolling around in my pocket is doomed to be dumped before getting on my flight. There’s not enough to justify transferring to United States Dollars.

Folks Around London

I did get to see quite a few friends.  While moving around London, I met some folks that I used to work with in China who were brilliant beyond all measure.

We enjoyed museums, assorted deserts, rambling walks, bad jokes, throwing autumn leaves at one another, profoundly failing at football and occasionally singing under our breathes.  Because that’s what friends meeting abroad do.

The museums were especially nice.  London is the Land of Free Museums. 

The Saatchi Gallery was my favorite, as there was a woman in the shape of a pin cushion, a colorful wall filled with butchered English advertisements and a meticulously labeled shoe case taking an idiom literally.

I also managed to go shopping with a lovely lady from my high school, where we bought a yellow scarf for her boss’ birthday.

The rest of my time was spent working.  I renewed my contract with my boss, which means the journeys aren’t over quite yet. 

Instead, I’ll have a month long hiatus in Dallas, after which it’s back to the grind.  More travelling, though the incoming winter will limit how far north I actually get. 

But I’m due for some family time and my wallet is strung well beyond what I can reasonably ask.  So perhaps I’ll invest in a slightly longer break.

So there it is. Until the next ridiculous series of lifestyle choices, this effectively ends my travels through Europe.

On that note,

Best regards and excellent trails,

Old Sean

Written November 6th 2018

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